An information meeting about the primary ballot measures to remodel and expand the Coupeville Library will be 6:30 p.m. today at the library.
The meeting is hosted by Sno-Isle Libraries.
Residents of the Coupeville School District will vote on two library issues on Aug. 19.
Proposition 1 would form a special taxing district called a library capital facility area.
Proposition 2 would authorize a $2.3 million bond issue to remodel and expand the library. If approved, the measure would cost the owner of a $300,000 house approximately $21 per year for 20 years.
Both measures must be approved for the expansion to move forward.
Call 360-651-7000 or 800-342-1936, or visit the Web site at www.sno-isle.org.
South End school buses honored
South Whidbey school buses are rolling in the right direction.
District transportation supervisor Veronica Schmidt has earned kudos following the results of the Washington State Patrol’s annual bus inspection.
In a letter from Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeron, the district was honored as outstanding in the school bus inspection results, which she termed “exceptional.”
This was the second year in a row the district has been honored.
“They check brakes, lights and all the mechanicals to make sure everything is safe,” Schmidt said. “We transport children and there is nothing more important for us than their safety.”
Club cleans up park on Sunday
The Langley Community Club is cleaning up Generations Park this weekend.
The workday is from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 at the park on the corner of Second Street and De Bruyn Avenue.
On the to-do list are weed-pulling, repainting the play equipment, spreading new wood chips and putting in new plantings.
Bring gloves, rakes or painting materials if you have them. Refreshments will be provided.
Class helps drivers improve their skills
An AARP Defensive Driving Class will be held at the Bayview Senior Center for mature drivers who are interested in improving their driving skills.
The class is from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Thursday, Aug. 21. The course covers the rules of the road, roadway conditions and normal age-related physical changes that may impact driving skills.
The cost for materials is $10. Reservations can be made by calling 321-1600 or 360-678-3373.
Artists needed for Coupeville exhibit
The next “Members Only Gallery” exhibit is due to open the first week of August at the Coupeville Arts Center.
The center is accepting submissions for this exhibit until July 31, when all the work will be juried and hung. The only requirement is to be or become a 2008 Coupeville Arts Center member.
For more information or questions, call 866-678-3396 or 360-678-3396. All artists will be informed of acceptance with the date of the opening to be posted at www.coupevillearts.org.
Residents can give blood in Freeland
The Puget Sound Blood Center is hoping to see a crowd at next Monday’s blood drive in Freeland.
“Some blood types are at a critical shortage right now,” said organizer Janice Martinovic. “This is always a difficult time of the year trying to keep blood stocked as people are away on vacations. The need for blood doesn’t go away in the summer.”
The center will welcome donors from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. Donating blood takes about an hour, and one donation can save three lives.
For details, call Martinovic at 321-4692.
City ups penalties for boat owners
The city of Langley is laying down the law for boaters who try to sneak in and out of the city marina without paying their fees.
The city council approved a code change earlier this month that outlines penalties for boaters who don’t pay their moorage fees.
Boaters must register and pay upon arrival. If they don’t, the city can issue a $500 ticket.
In addition, if the owner of a boat still fails to register and pay after being notified, the harbormaster can take measures to secure the vessel.
The change was requested after the city noticed a jump in moorage fees since Langley Police officers began collecting the fees earlier this summer.
“People come running from their boats with the envelope, when they see those guys in uniform,” Mayor Paul Samuelson told the city council.
Last year, the city collected about $9,000 in moorage fees in July. This year, with the police presence in the harbor, Langley collected more than $7,000 in fees in the first half of the month and expected to see similar revenue in the second half of the month.
The moorage fees depend on the size of the boat, but start at $5 per day for boats under 10 feet and go up to $42 for boats over 60 feet.
Host families are needed this year
Host families are needed for two foreign exchange students who will attend South Whidbey High School in the fall.
One exchange student is a boy from Vietnam who is an A student. He is described as very friendly. He likes sports such as swimming, tennis, golf, baseball, basketball and soccer.
The second student is a girl from Norway who loves snow sports, music and movies. She has a great sense of humor and wants to learn about fashion designing.
Students come with good English skills, their own insurance and spending money, and have expressed a strong desire to be a member of an American family. Officials with the exchange program said host families do not need to have teenagers; young families as well as empty nesters are excellent high school hosts.
For information, call Jamin Henderson at 360-661-0552 or e-mail at j.henderson33@hotmail.com.
